Kolkata, March 15 The Trinamool Congress on Sunday alleged that the Election Commission, in its announcement of a two-phase election for West Bengal, was giving undue importance to the decision, claiming that the poll body had set the number of phases based on the "requirements of its political masters."
The party questioned the commission's "double standards" in conducting eight-phase elections in 2021 during a period of high Covid infections, while opting for two phases this time around.
"The number of phases is solely a reflection of what the BJP wants, and the Election Commission has only adhered to the requirements of its political masters," said TMC spokesperson, Arup Chakraborty.
The Election Commission announced on Sunday that the Assembly elections in West Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and 29.
"How can one justify conducting eight-phase polls in the state in 2021 when people were dying of Covid infections and deciding to hold the polls in two phases now when there is no such threat? The number of phases doesn't matter; the people will defeat the BJP regardless," Chakraborty added.
The party posted a cryptic message on its X handle, suggesting that two phases are sufficient to corner the BJP in the state.
"How many phases will it take for the people of Bengal to decisively reject Bangla-Birodhi @BJP4India once and for all? Answer: Joti Koro Hamla, #AbarJitbeBangla #BoycottBJP," TMC wrote.
Party leader Kunal Ghosh maintained that the people of Bengal continued to stand firmly behind the TMC.
"If the turnout at the Yuba Sathi camps is any indicator of where the support of the state's youth lies, then it won't matter how many phases the state will vote in. We already have the required support of the people," he said.